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No longer in contact with your parents? Tick the UCAS ‘estranged student’ box!

Thu 19 May 2022 - 09:57

By Susan Mueller, Higher Education Director at Stand Alone in Widening access and participation

Are you are applying to higher education without the support from your parents or even your wider family due to a breakdown in your relationship with them? Are you already living independently and have little or no contact with your parents and maybe also other close family members? Or is this likely to be your situation before you start uni? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, then you might be classified as an ‘estranged’ student which means you could get support to study.

In higher education, if your relationship with your parents has permanently and irreconcilably broken down and you have no contact with them, this is referred to as ‘estranged’. If that is the case for you, you may be wondering about things like: how to finance your studies, where you will live, and how to make friends and fit in. Maybe you are also thinking about how you can keep yourself safe from unwanted contact and...

Are you from a UK Armed Forces family? Let your university or college know!

Thu 19 May 2022 - 09:56

By The Global Education Team – Ministry of Defence in Widening access and participation

UCAS has introduced a new flag that will immediately identify to universities and colleges whether an applicant is from a UK Armed Forces background (sometimes referred to as ‘Service children’).  This flag will be generated simply by students ticking a box on the UCAS application form.

This is positive news from several perspectives. 

It is a clear sign to universities that children from Armed Forces families deserve additional attention; recognising that many Armed Forces children have a unique set of experiences and personal skills that are highly valuable in academic and employment settings.

Of course, it also enables universities to consider applications against the context of some of the more challenging aspects of Armed Forces life. For example, admissions teams will be able to assess students’ achievements...

How 2021 changed student shopping and spending for 2022

Thu 17 March 2022 - 16:48

In UCAS advice

It’s a new age for student marketing, as Gen Z shrewdness forces brands to rethink advertising and authenticity.

One of the things that makes working with students so challenging and fascinating is the lightning-quick pace of change. On an almost yearly basis, we see entire decision-making strategies come and go, as each new intake brings young people from all over the world and from every socioeconomic status. Add a global pandemic to that, or a widespread cultural movement like Black Lives Matter, and you’ve got a crucible for change that dwarfs anything we’ve seen before.

That’s why this year’s UCAS Freshers Report has been both a revelation and revolution to work...

UCAS Freshers Report reveals new student shopping trends for 2022

Thu 3 March 2022 - 10:04

In UCAS advice

It’s time to think differently about consumer engagement with students.

We can finally talk about the 2022 Freshers Report, which has just been published after months of research and analysis. Today’s launch reveals insight gathered from more than 7,000 students, about what really makes them tick when it comes to spending and shopping. For brands and businesses looking to engage with this unique market, it’s a crucial read.

And they are extremely unique, especially compared to their predecessors. They are the Gen Z vanguard when it comes to maturity, spending, and influence, but they’ve also lived through a global pandemic. This year’s freshers have all but skipped...

Now live! Our new Freshers Report reveals a reshuffle of student brand preferences…

Thu 3 March 2022 - 10:05

In UCAS advice


It’s all change at the top. And the middle. And the bottom.

It’s another one to shake things up – we’ve just published this year’s revelation report, the UCAS 2022 Freshers Report. We spoke to more than 7,000 students to understand how the last year has affected the way they shop, spend, and interact with their favourite (and least favourite) brands.

Brand preference and perception has proved to be one of the most dramatic shifts in this year’s report. It’s nothing new for Gen Z to hold businesses to account – just look at corporate cancel culture or the industry fall out of BLM – but lots of brands have seen their younger markets stepping away in response to PR...

Get ready – report to reveal big changes in student consumer behaviours

Thu 10 March 2022 - 17:00

In UCAS advice

For the 11th year running, we’re getting ready to publish the results of our extensive research into student consumer behaviour.

And this year’s freshers are a little different – part Gen Z, part Isolation Generation – a unique group of young shoppers influenced by a unique experience. That’s why our Freshers Report, coming 3 March, is more important than ever for those looking to engage with this market. Inside, we’ll reveal what’s behind the rapidly changing mindset of today’s students – and what it means for brands.

Sign up to receive your copy...

Apprenticeships vs University

Tue 25 January 2022 - 11:57

By UCAS in UCAS advice

University has been the top choice for students all over the UK for longer than we can remember, but is this down to its constant advertising by the government since university was...

Going to university or college if you’ve been in care – our top ten tips for success

Tue 11 October 2022 - 14:45

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Going to university or college if you’ve been in care – our top ten tips for success

Making a decision about university or college can be tricky, and there may be more to think about if you are care experienced. There are lots of misconceptions around so this guide will help you find out all you need. And if you need more information, you can read our information and advice for care experienced students.

1: There is financial support available to help care experienced students

Everyone worries about finances, but this shouldn’t be more of a concern for students with care experience than anyone else – in fact, there is additional...

Starting an online business whilst at University (with a small amount of money)

Fri 17 December 2021 - 11:12

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Starting a small online business whilst you’re a University student is a great way to start your journey into entrepreneurship and gain some first-hand experience on how the world of business works.

You don’t need vast amounts of financial backing to start a small online business, I started Protein Package with £300 of savings during my first year at University. We allow customers to pick and mix healthy snacks without needing to order large quantities of protein bars and be stuck with the same flavour for weeks on end.

Pick a niche that interests you

Firstly, the best place to start with your online business is to select a...

8 ways to optimise your apprenticeship recruitment

Tue 14 December 2021 - 18:48

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Though as the popularity of apprenticeships grows, now is a great time to refine your recruitment techniques to make sure you can hire quality apprentices when you need them. Here are some areas you could consider.

1. Multiple touch points

Younger people consume more content, use more social channels and are more likely to be hired as a result. When coupled with the relevant criteria on your job description – e.g. education level and brand enthusiasm – you’ll have your ‘warm candidate’.

If you tend to recruit at certain times of year, your costs will be lowered by generating a ‘warm candidate pool’ ahead of these times – so your ideal candidates will be ready to go. These apprentices tend to be less aware of your brand initially, but better advocates of it once they’re on board – often, even before formally starting in the role.

2. Optimise year-round recruitment

Another agile recruitment tactic is to check whether your data includes...

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